A sturdy, compact single step designed to enable safer sit-and-swivel entry into the pool.
The Active Birth Pools Single Step Unit was developed to solve a practical problem in water birth rooms: how to help mothers enter and leave the pool safely without asking them to climb over the side of the pool.
In labour, a mother may be tired, contracting, less steady on her feet or unable to follow a complex movement sequence.
Pool access therefore needs to be simple, stable and intuitive.
The Single Step Unit works with the extra-wide, rounded, load-bearing rim to make getting into our pools simple and safe.
Sit and swivel into the pool.
The mother steps onto the compact step, sits securely on the broad rim, swivels her legs into the water and lowers herself gently into the pool.
This is the key point: the step does not create a staircase. It makes climbing unnecessary.
Entering a birth pool should not become a climbing task or manual handling risk.
Many water birth pools require mothers to climb up a multi-step unit, turn or reposition, step over the rim and descend into water.
That may appear simple in theory. In a real birth room, it can be very different.
HSE guidance recognises manual-handling risks to midwives and auxiliary staff when supporting births in pools, including when staff actively support a mother’s entry or exit, or when the mother uses the midwife as a support while entering or exiting the pool.
HSE also identifies pool design, environment, equipment planning, safe access and emergency evacuation as relevant risk-reduction factors.
The Single Step Unit addresses this issue by simplifying the movement and allowing the mother to sit before entering the water.
The Active Birth Pools solution: sit on the extra-wide rim, swivel round and enter the pool.
The Single Step Unit gives the mother a height advantage, which makes her level with the floor of the pool and reduces the height of the rim to 60cm (same as a domestic bath) enabling her to easily sit down on the rim and swivel into the pool.
The sequence is simple:
- Step onto the compact Single Step Unit.
- Sit securely on the broad, rounded, load-bearing rim.
- Swivel the legs into the pool while seated.
- Lower gently into the water.
The sturdy 15cm step and extra-wide rounded rim of the pool allow mothers to step up, sit down, swivel her legs into the pool and lower herself gently into the water while maintaining three points of contact through the transfer.
This is a safer, calmer and more controlled access method than asking the mother to climb up several steps, turn, step over the rim and descend into water.
Three points of contact for a stable base of support
The Single Step Unit supports the mother in maintaining three points of contact with the floor, step and/or pool rim throughout the access movement.
This matters because a stable base of support reduces the need for the mother to use the midwife as a handhold.
The extra-wide rounded rim is central to this method.
It is not a narrow edge.
It broad wrap-around rim acts as a transfer point that makes entering our pools simple and most importantly – safe.
It is a wide, rounded, load-bearing support that allows the mother to sit, pause and control the movement before entering or leaving the pool.
If a contraction begins during entry, she can remain seated on the rim.
That is very different from being halfway up a bulky step unit, standing at height, stepping over the pool wall or trying to find footing inside the pool.
Helps reduce injury risk for midwives
The Single Step Unit is not only about mother comfort. It also helps protect midwives.
When a mother has to climb, turn and step over a pool rim, the midwife may be pulled into a risky support role.
She may need to steady the mother, brace herself, catch sudden weight or act as an improvised handrail.
That can place sudden, unpredictable force through the midwife’s back, shoulder, arm or neck.
HSE manual-handling guidance sets out the need to avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable, assess risks that cannot be avoided, and reduce injury risk as far as reasonably practicable.
A compact alternative to large multi-step units
A bulky multi-step unit with handrail may look reassuring, but in a wet maternity room it can create its own hazards.
Multi-step units can:
- take up valuable floor space around the pool;
- obstruct midwives moving around the pool;
- become a trip hazard when not in use;
- clutter the room;
- interfere with emergency access around the pool.
HSE slips and trips guidance for health and social care states that floors should be free from trip hazards and obstructions, and that equipment should be stored away when not in use rather than left in walkways.
This is where the Active Birth Pools Single Step Unit has a clear practical advantage.
It is small, sturdy and easy to position only when needed.
When entry or exit is complete, it can be moved back under the pool with a gentle push of the foot, keeping the poolside clear without creating another lifting or carrying task for staff.
Designed for the realities of a wet clinical room
Water birth rooms are wet clinical environments.
Any access equipment used beside a pool must be considered in relation to space, movement, cleaning, storage and trip risk.
The Single Step Unit was developed with these realities in mind.
It provides the height advantage needed for safer access, without dominating the poolside area.
This helps preserve clear working space for midwives, birth partners, monitoring equipment and emergency response.
HSE manual-handling guidance advises that where risk cannot be avoided, changes to the task, load and working environment should be explored, including improving space, flooring and layout.
The Single Step Unit supports that principle by reducing climbing, reducing clutter and improving the working space around the pool.
Strong, stable Ficore® construction
The Single Step Unit is made from Ficore® composite to match Active Birth Pools.
Ficore® is strong, durable and easy to clean.
It is well suited to repeated use in hospital water birth rooms.
Ficore® also has a greater adhesive factor and is less slippery – more slip resistant than fibreglass or acrylic, making it a better material choice for wet clinical environments where secure contact and cleanability are both important.
Technical specifications:
Material: Ficore® composite
Size: 455mm (18″) x 300mm (12″) x 150mm (6″)
Weight: 3.85kg (8.5lb)
